Aston Villa player ratings after goalless Premier League draw against Crystal Palace
Villa were unable to capitalise on a late rally at the end of a lacklustre second half
Aston Villa dropped points in the Premier League thanks to a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Villa hit the post in the final ten minutes but chances were few and far between in a game that saw them start relatively well but fade when Palace found an extra gear in the second half.
Palace stood off Villa from the start and challenged the visitors to break them down, but they showed more intent late in the first half and throughout the second. Unai Emery wanted improvement after the break, quite understandably, and wasn’t afraid to show it.
Here are the ratings:
Emiliano Martínez - 7
No pressure on him from Palace forwards and was first called into action to beat away a Brennan Johnson shot after quarter of an hour. Cool with the ball at his feet. Substituted at half time due to injury.
Matty Cash - 6
Made brave passing choices and tracked back hard in transition. Competent one-on-one defending against Tyrick Mitchell but played Johnson onside for the first shot on target of the game. Well-struck shot on target blocked shortly before half time.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Slick in possession and looking to play forward passes when available. Effortless defending on the cover at speed.
Victor Lindelöf - 7
Good reading of the game when Palace tried to move the ball quickly in the Villa half and made some important interceptions. Positioned well to make a big block shortly after half time. Solid, simple passing and an assured defensive display.
Lucas Digne - 7
Nice cross caused a problem for Palace early on. High quality on the ball in the opposition half and linked well with Morgan Rogers in attacking situations. Made a vital block in the middle of the second half. Substituted after 72 minutes.
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Boubacar Kamara - 7
Essential for breaking up the play, sniffing out the danger and intervening at the back as a spare man, which he had to do frequently. Tight in possession. Substituted late.
Youri Tielemans - 7
Able to get turned on the ball and pick passes from the start and played with appetite and bite in the middle. Set up a presentable Ollie Watkins chance with a lovely pass after 23 minutes.
John McGinn - 6
Classic McGinn ball movement right from kick-off. Involved in some promising attacking situations but had more to offer. Substituted after 72 minutes.
Jadon Sancho - 6
Quiet with the game more central early on but tidy enough with the ball on the right. Put in a good shift without the ball but Villa needed more from him going forward. Substituted with 25 minutes to go.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Some excellent early touches and outstanding passing to put Palace under pressure but a few loose touches started to creep in. Diligently worked to hold Villa’s 4-4-2 shape out of possession and useful in the tackle too. Excellent pass in behind for Digne in the first couple of minutes of the second period and was always Villa’s big threat.
Ollie Watkins - 6
Denied one-on-one by Dean Henderson in the middle of the first half and wasted another similar opening just before the break after outsmarting Jaydee Canvot. Hit the post with a late header.
Substitutes
Marco Bizot (for Martínez, HT) - On at half time. Got a few early touches and a couple of easy saves before a more difficult one in the middle of the second half. 7
Emi Buendía (for Sancho, 65) - Introduced into a difficult situation with Villa struggling to build an attack. Fired over left-footed with ten minutes to go. 5
Donyell Malen (for McGinn, 73) - First major contribution was an important defensive one. 6
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 73) - Didn’t make a mark on the game in his short appearance off the bench. 5
Lamare Bogarde (for Kamara, 81) - Late substitute. N/A